JORHAT
: Chief minister
Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday reopened the
Kaziranga National Park
for tourists after the monsoon.
The park was scheduled to be reopened on October 1 after the rainy season. However, the reopening was postponed due to the damages caused by the recent wave of floods.
Reopening the park at the Bagori Forest Range in the morning, Sonowal said the state government has taken steps for beautification, conservation and development of Kaziranga. He added that it is a matter of great pride that Kazirnaga is now among the 17 most iconic centres in the country. He appealed to the people to make a united effort to maintain the serenity and beauty of the park. Sonowal also appealed to all households, restaurants, hotels and resorts to keep their peripheral areas clean.
Sonowal said that for protecting and preserving the rich biodiversity of the Kaziranga, a 32-km-long flyover will be constructed which will serve as underpasses for animals while migrating from the park to the adjoining Karbi Anglong side. The government has taken up measures to protect the biodiversity and other natural resources of Kaziranga, Manas, Orang, Pabitara and Dibru Saikhowa.
Stating that l.80 lakh people had visited the park last year, the chief minister called for a concerted effort to attract more tourists to the place.
Sonowal, who was accompanied by his three cabinet colleagues - forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya, agriculture minister Atul Bora and water resources minister
Keshab Mahanta
- also said that because of the unified efforts of the local people, forest personnel and security personnel, rhino poaching has come down considerably. This is because of a greater synergy between civil, police and forest administrations across five districts, he said.
Stating that the density of flora and fauna in the Kaziranga National Park has increased considerably, Sonowal said that formation of task force, fast-track courts for trial of poachers, construction of highlands and supply of food stuff to the animals during flood along with medical attention have contributed to this increase.
Sonowal inaugurated the park's western range Bagori in the morning by lighting earthen lamps. He was given the guard of honour by the newly-formed Rhino Protection Force. He also visited the Dunga anti-poaching camp in Bagori by jeep and enjoyed the beauty of Dunga Beel there.
Thereafter, he went to Mihimukh in Kohora and inaugurated the park's central range Kohora. He also inaugurated the newly-constructed tourist information centre there.
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